off map flying.... Lame and gamey.
Yes, but on the other hand I get their point that as they were taking off there was already a group of 9-10 fighters nearby to intercept almost immediately. I was probably 3-4 sectors behind that group. It did suck because you spend 45+ minutes climbing to find them running into a zone where bullets apparently don't work, but then again it would also stink from their perspective.
A suggestion for next time, 49Dallas... Send a few of your better sticks out in 262's prior to your mission to intercept the interceptors... They don't even need to shoot anyone down. All they need to do is stay aggressive enough that the interceptors can't keep their speed/alt/heading. I mean you've seen how effective a 262 can be at breaking up a base assault if it just hangs out near the reinforcement stream. Same concept.
That will buy you guys some time to get some alt without being harassed immediately. It would also speak to effective use of strategy rather than game exploits...